Tight ends named players to watch

Peter Holland Jr./ Contributing Writer

The 2015 midseason watch list for the John Mackey Award, the highest award for collegiate tight ends, was recently released and features two University athletes.

Wednesday, Oct. 13, junior Jonnu Smith, who was on the Mackey Award preseason watch list, and senior Ya’keem Griner were announced as members of the midseason watch list.

The Panther’s offense includes a two tight end set involving both Griner and Smith lining up on opposite ends.

Smith, despite having a breakout season in his sophomore year, is having an off season, with only 26 catches for 214 yards and two touchdowns. What’s giving him more notoriety this season is having at least one catch for 31 consecutive games, including two for a touchdown.

His season high is six catches for 42 yards against North Carolina Central University. He is also ranked number two in catches (126) and number two in career receiving yards (1289) among all tight ends who have played at FIU, according to FIUSports.com.

He played his best game  of the season Saturday, Oct. 17, against Middle Tennessee University when he finished the game with five catches for 62 yards.

Griner is having a surprising senior season, recording 21 catches for 225 and two touchdowns. He made his mark in the first game against University of Central Florida with four catches for 55 yards  that helped sealed their win with a touchdown, which was a tipped catch.

He had a career high seven catches for 64 yards and one touchdown against Louisiana Tech University.

Both FIU and University of Florida are the only schools to have two two tight ends to be on the Mackey Award midseason watch list.

The semi-finalists will be announced Monday, Nov. 16, and the finalists will be announced on Tuesday, Nov. 24. The recipient will be announced live on Wednesday, Dec. 9, during the Home Depot College Football Awards’ Red Carpet Show on ESPNU.